Young people who want to continue their education after the age of 16 and take A-levels or other further education exams have several options of where to study. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of these options? Is it better to stay on at your current school or to switch to a sixth form college somewhere else? Many schools do not have a sixth form, in which case there is no choice but to move on somewhere new.

There are a few options available to young people over the age of sixteen who want to take A-level and other higher education exams. Many schools do not provide sixth form study programs, and so many students find themselves trying to decide if they should stay at their current school or move on to sixth form college. There are a number of advantages, as well as disadvantages, when it comes to options for continuing study.

There are several questions that need to be answered before you settle on a sixth form college. First, you need to decide what your field of study is likely to be. Many colleges are specialized, and have a very limited number of majors, such as performing arts schools or vocational schools. Also, look for colleges that have a good reputation in your field - are their graduates well-received when looking for a job? Second, determine how much you and your family can spend for tuition, fees, and other costs. Will you be able to pay the higher expense of an independent college or are you more comfortable with the price of state supported facility? Third, are you going to be able to travel?

There are several reasons to attend a sixth form college. You may be embarking on a career that requires apprenticeship or prior experience and education. You may want to continue studying some of your favorite subjects in A-level courses, especially if you have already gained high grades in them at GCSE. But not everyone is sure of where they want to go, so a sixth form college can help you find your true calling.

Most sixth form colleges create a relaxed atmosphere of learning and encourage independence. Teaching styles will vary from place to place but overall students are encouraged to study in a more independent manner, than those students who stay on to study at their school. As opposed to large exams many sixth form colleges will instead perform continual progress assessments, others have lectures or practical workshops.

The sixth form colleges in your area can easily be researched. You will want to find out about class sizes and also what success rate has been achieved by students attending there in previous years. Some sixth form colleges have a very relaxed atmosphere and some specialize in technology, or drama and dance. They are all different and attending an open day is always advisable. You can apply for places at several sixth form colleges at a time. They will have different deadlines so be sure to check on those. For popular courses, you should start applying in Year 11, in the Autumn term.